“What are you?”
“What are you mixed with?”
“Are you a mulato?”
These are questions every biracial/multiracial/mixed person faces over and over again. Easily one of the first five questions I get personally when I meet someone new is, “What are you?” (Uh… human….)
Sometimes in an attempt to find out my race, some people will just randomly guess the race that they think I am, “Are you Hispanic?” That’s the most popular guess. I think because of my honey-colored skin tone. (Sweet!)
Or the more politically correct crowd will say, “Where are your parents from?” (Hmmm that’s still not gonna give them the answer I know they’re looking for….)
Sigh…The constant reminder that we have to define ourselves so other people have a box to put us in…
I want to start a series that speaks specifically to the challenges that biracial/multiracial kids/people face that are unique issues apart from our minority uni-race (real word?) counter parts.
To understand the importance of this issue to the young multi-racial people in your life please watch the following video posted just 6 months ago by vlogger ChescaLeigh. The response may surprise you.
Enjoy and be sure to follow up for the next post on these issues.
